The famous strawberry popovers at the Zodiac in Neiman Marcus. | Holly Jefferson From drunkenly trying on wedding gowns to holiday tea service, devotees of the restaurant in Neiman Marcus share their fondest memories When news broke at the end of February that the Zodiac in Neiman Marcus’s flagship in Downtown Dallas would close along with that store’s location, the city flocked to make reservations — rendering a final visit nearly impossible. There was a heart-wrenching back-and-forth leading up to the closing, which was originally announced as the result of a dispute with the landlord over rights to the ground underneath the store. Dallas Inc. and the city of Dallas tried to resolve the conflict by acquiring the land the store is on to eliminate the issue. Saks Global declared its decision final and announced its closure. But when closing was imminent, the company quickly changed its mind, resolving to keep the store and its restaurant open through the end of 2025, at least — looks like we will get one more season of holiday tea at Zodiac. The Zodiac opened in April 1953. It was designed by Eleanor LeMaire, an interior designer from New York, who would design many of Neiman Marcus’s spaces. Stanley Marcus, the Lakewood resident who was the store’s original owner, was also the brains behind the dining room, which he anticipated would keep customers in the store by offering lunch and afternoon tea. It underwent many makeovers in its time, ending with a return to blue hues and gold touches that called back to its early days. An early advertisement described it as “another step in our Downtown expansion program to bring to Dallas the most luxurious and elegant store in America.” The dining room became known, over the years, for its chicken consomme and strawberry popovers, as well as its lavish annual holiday buffets. During its long history, the Zodiac has been synonymous with the phrase “ladies who lunch.” But the Zodiac is more than a restaurant inside a department store; it represents a moment in time, an opportunity to catch a glimpse of what life was like for Dallas’s high society. We asked some Dallasites to share their memories of the Zodiac, which will serve its final meals on Monday, March 31. Elizabeth Young, nee Zigler In the bridal room after a boozy afternoon in the Zodiac. Chef Lisa Martel, Neiman’s employee from 2008 to 2015: “I met many friends there and have a lot of special memories working there, as well as dining. One specific ladies’ brunch was one of our annual ladies’ holiday brunches at the Zodiac buffet. That day, we had a lot of mimosas, and someone thought it would be fun to go try on wedding dresses at the bridal salon after brunch. Everyone was married except one friend who was dating someone but not engaged. After a couple more bottles of champagne and multiple dresses, the saleswoman said there was a trunk show [and] she should try some of those [dresses] on. Our friend tried on a dress that fit her perfectly. I think we all cried; she looked so beautiful — also we were all a little tipsy. It was like 75 percent off, and we all said she had to get this dress. Someone even offered to buy it for her. Long story short: She got the dress. He ended up proposing, and she wore that dress at their wedding. That was about seven years ago, and they’re still married.” Lisa Lavender, event planner: “I remember winning $1,000 from a radio station and taking myself to lunch at the Zodiac after picking out a beautiful brooch…[I was] practicing self-care before it was a thing. I was just breathless at how elegant, perfect, and grown-up everything was. It was a perfect moment in time and such an indulgence.” Cynthia Salzman Mondell, producer and director: “It’s always such a special experience — an elegant place where we’re treated like VIPs and can truly relax. It holds so many wonderful memories. We would always go there to celebrate the famed [Dallas Morning News] columnist and writer Maryln Schwartz’s birthday because it made her feel so special.” Marna Edenson: “In 1977, we brought my Mom and Dad to the Downtown Neiman’s to show them what Dallas was like. We ate at the Zodiac, where I had my first beef Wellington. It was delicious.” Christina LaBarba: “My family and I loved going there during the holidays. My favorite dish was the pot roast and mashed potatoes, and the popovers with strawberry butter. It’s the end of an era. It’s very sad that Dallas is losing a part of its history after over 100 years in business.” The Watson Family Lily Watson and Sarah Day Ring at the Zodiac. Lilly Watson, founder of Camp Crafty Parties: “The best use of the Zodiac holiday buffet was for sneaking out on a Friday and meeting the girls for a dressy lunch Downtown. Most of us would have already dutifully taken the children to see Santa by this point, so this was a trip Downtown to get dressed up, eat, and shop for ourselves and to our own hearts’ content. I love how the Zodiac turned the concept of a buffet on its head. My girlfriends, who would never typically queue up to pass a serving spoon, were giddy in line at this buffet. The trick among my friends was to do an initial ‘cold plate’ visit for salads and starters — do not pass on the ambrosia — followed by a return trip for the hot plate of Stanley’s famous pot roast, salmon, and sides. I will never regret a dollar or hour that I spent in such a beautiful, historic place.” Seychelle Van Poole Engelhard, real estate broker: “In the ‘70s, my Dad bought Stanley Marcus’s private wine collection and that’s how our family started the wine program for ClubCorp wine collection. [Editor’s note: ClubCorp owns Invited private clubs.] My grandmother, Lois, used to take us to the Zodiac for special occasions in the 1990s. We would go to the store, shop for Easter dresses, get our makeup done, and eat at the Zodiac. It’s a tradition I continued with my nieces and daughter to keep the legacy alive.When I was pregnant, I craved the popovers with strawberry butter, so I would plan all of my lunch meetings there. I would get there 20 minutes early and order an extra round of the popovers to take care of the cravings before my party showed up. When I had COVID, all I wanted was the Neiman’s chicken stock, so my husband convinced them to sell us two quarts of it so I could sip on it during recovery. It was just what the soul needed.” Holly Jefferson For ladies who lunch. Jenny Block, author and writer for the New York Times: “One year I took my daughter Hannah to Neiman Marcus Downtown for a Texas Ballet Theater Nutcracker event. I can’t remember if it was a brunch or lunch, but she got to take photos with some of the dancers, and she was all dressed up. I just remember how fancy and wonderful it all was. Nothing felt more Dallas than being at Neiman Marcus celebrating Texas Ballet Theater. There was something so chic and, at the same time, old school about attending events there.” Gay Daneman: “When I was a little girl, my mom and I rode the trolley to the Neiman Marcus flagship for a celebration. I wore a pretty dress and white gloves, and my mother wore her gloves and hat. We ate at the Zodiac, enjoying our little cup of broth and popovers; then, we went up and down the escalator to look at all the pretty things. I love that store and have the best memories.” Marilyn Tarver, realtor: “My mother Isabel worked at the Zodiac for many years. The clients loved her and would ask for her specifically. She was an awesome woman.” Emet Alcocer: “Years ago, I used to go to the Zodiac with my parents. My mother loved the Neiman Marcus Downtown. I don’t remember much of what I ate but it was a five-course meal. Everything was delicious and the attention was great. The way Neiman Marcus was 30 years ago — they really treated customers like royalty.” Update: Friday, March 28, 2025, 10:41 a.m.: This story and its headline have been updated to reflect a last minute decision by Saks Global to keep the Zodiac open through 2025. ...read more read less